Going down: Humboldt County gas prices drop below $4 a gallon

For the first time in eight months, gas prices dipped below $4 a gallon for regular in Humboldt County.

The drop -- seen nationwide -- is based on a number of factors, including the switch over to the winter blend of gasoline.

"That's a much cheaper blend than the summer blend. It doesn't have all the additives. So therefore, gasoline is always cheaper in the winter months," AAA spokeswoman Cynthia Harris said.

"Secondly, we have not had any major refinery issues in the past few months," she said. "There hasn't been any shutdown because of a mechanical issue or a major storm. Therefore, we are not in a shortage, there is a surplus. Also, demand is down. People aren't driving as much."

Gas prices hovered around $3.97 in Eureka on Thursday, with Costco at $3.84, according to GasBuddy. Humboldt County prices overall dropped by 12 cents from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9.

"It has been a very good reprieve for consumers and motorists, because gas prices have been sliding downward," Harris said. "That doesn't mean they couldn't go up if there's major political changes in the oil producing regions of the world ... but for right now we're steady, and we're going to see more decline for the next several months."

Times-Standard readers gave the news a mixed review.

"I am thankful gas is dropping, even a little helps," one reader wrote in a Facebook post.

Others note $4 is not a bargain, and Humboldt County still pays more than almost any other place in the United States.

"This is still high. It's sad that we are conditioned to think $4.00/gallon is good. That said, I appreciate it going down anytime," another reader wrote.

The Arcata and Mad River Transit System has not noticed a difference in ridership since the beginning of October.

"A large percentage of our riders will ride the bus regardless of the price of gas," Transportation Superintendent Larry Pardi said. "Seventy-six percent of our riders are college students. It's not the price of gas -- it's the lack of parking and the cost of buying parking permits, so why would you change your habits?"

According to a AAA press release issued Tuesday, the national average has fallen for 36 straight days, dropping a total of 25 cents. This is the longest period of decline since fall 2008, when prices plummeted $2.20 per gallon over 86 consecutive days.

A year ago, the statewide average was $4.67 per gallon due to major refinery issues -- including a fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond -- and Middle East tensions, Harris said. On Thursday, California drivers saw an average price of $3.82.